My Dear Sir,
THE News of your death breath-in like the cold wind of the northern Nigerian harmattan. It sends cold chill into the bone as very few people including myself had imagined this time it’s final, that your reported hospitalisation is terminal.
I therefore, wish to pencil down a little tribute to your memory. I have always been your admirer since my commissioning as a junior officer coming out of NDA. In our NDA years it was rumoured that our training was to be cut short by about one and half year to join you in prosecuting the Chadian conflict of the early 80s.
We were excited at the prospect of real combat. The idea to be deployed to fight along with your 3 Armoured Division in Chad never materialised to our disappointment.
Later- on after I became an officer, you became Head of State and C in C. My admiration for you became even more intense as we engaged in litany of military operations to combat economic sabotages all across the country.
I recalled the change of currency and my unit’s role in closing down the Idiroko border in 1984. So much was at stake at that time but you and your Late Chief of Staff General Tunde Idiagbon imbued us with courage and patriotism such that the job got done seamlessly.
Also Sir, there is something about you that keeps reminding me of Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, another gallant and well loved former head of state of the country. Your puritanical and austere approach to life was fascinatingly similar to that of the late Murtala.
My chance to meet with you came first as a brigade commander in Sokoto face to face, at that time you were yet to win the presidential election in fact the campaign was yet to even commence. This meeting was brief but profound. However, a much deeper interaction with your Excellency was to come my way much later as Commandant of the NDA.
I was privileged to have hosted you in the Academy on more than two occasions of the passing out parade of the cadets. On the first occasion the interactive in the office was nobel and to be cherished for ever.
During the parade and subsequent series of activities I further learned first hand your patience and tolerant nature. You stayed with us for more than 8 hours and not a single sign of discomfort. At the end, this experience made me rethink the schedule and timings of the subsequent Passing out Parades.
It made the NDA to separate the convocation aspect of the POP from the military parade and the pipping ceremony. This was intended to substantially reduce the rigour of the two occasions on our Presidents and guests to the occasion subsequently.
I must not forget the enthusiasm you always displayed whenever you were to review our NDA cadets Passing out Parades. Baba, I must not forget your tremendous support to me and the Academy.
I was however sad when on your last visit to the NDA I noticed you were not at ease as it was the case with previous visits. The rush by your handlers to conclude the program was a puzzle to me. Later, I guess it was your health. After that encounter you went straight for medicals in London and return after lengthy period.
In all sir I thank you for the opportunity to have served as Commandant of the NDA during your administration.
I had planned to parsonally pay you a visit while in Daura but it did not happend.
Recently your return to Kaduna gave me hope that I would one day visit you when the traffic of people eases. Alas, the visit is never to take place. The reason is obvious, you have returned to the place of rest for all mortals.
May your beautiful soul rest in perfect peace. I Salute Sir!
- MT Ibrahim (Rtd) is former Commandant of the NDA and Garkuwan Gumel.